Category Archives: Chinese

Double World (2020) Review

"Double World" Theatrical Poster

Director: Teddy Chen Cast: Henry Lau, Mark Cheng, Peter Ho, Bobo Hu Ming, Jiang Luxia, Him Law, Lin Chen-Han, Xiuyu Lin, Minghu Xu, Ningjiang Zhang, Li Xi-Yu, Wang Yan-Long, Du Xiao-Fan Running Time: 110 min. By Paul Bramhall In the mid-2010’s it felt like you couldn’t get away from the big budget fantasy blockbuster in China, with a constant stream of CGI spectacle filled extravaganzas dominating the screens. Zhong Kui: … Continue reading

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Ninja Over the Great Wall (1987) Review

"Ninja Over the Great Wall" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Fire on the Great Wall Director: Bruce Le Cast: Bruce Le (Huang Kin Long), Li Ning, Yu Hai, Leung Yim, Shikamura Yasuyoshi, Cheng Yuen Man, Xue Bai, Gao Jian-Hua, Ma Zheng, Yang Li-Xin Running Time: 90 min.  By Paul Bramhall After spending 10 years playing various incarnations of Bruce Lee within the infamous Bruceploitation genre, Huang Kin-Lung (or Bruce Le as he’s more commonly known) directed what could be … Continue reading

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My Life’s on the Line | aka 60 Second Assassin (1978) Review

AKA: 60 Second Assassin Director: Wang Chung Kwong Cast: Leung Kar Yan, Lung Fei, Wang Lee-pang, Dean Shek Tien, Wong Chi Sang, Kong Ching Ha, Su Chen Ping, Chiang Ching-Hsia, Li Long-Yin Running Time: 91 min. By Ian Whittle The problem with the kung fu comedy craze is that it often meant dramatic films felt forced to compromise, inserting goofy scenes alongside the drama. A case in point is My … Continue reading

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Magnificent, The (1978) Review

"The Magnificent" Poster

Director: Kim Hyeong-Jun Co-director: Chan Siu-Pang Assistant-director: Godfrey Ho Cast: Carter Wong, Casanova Wong, Chan Sing, Doris Lung, Elton Chong, Chang Il-do, Dragon Lee (Mun Kyong-sok), Martin Chui Man-Fooi, Chan Chan-Wa Running Time: 90 min. By Paul Bramhall In the late 70’s the kung fu genre was evolving dramatically. After the Bruce Lee mania of the early 70’s there came a wave of ‘basher’ flicks, movies that put an emphasis … Continue reading

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Hocus Pocus (1984) Review

"Hocus Pocus" Theatrical Poster

Director: Chin Yuet Sang Producer: Sammo Hung Cast: Lam Ching Ying, Stephen Tung Wei, Law Ho Kai, Chin Yuet Sang, Peter Chan Lung, Tai San, Alice Lau Ar Lai, Fung Lee, Cheung Ging Boh Running Time: 94 min. By Paul Bramhall In 1984 it’d been 4 years since Sammo Hung directed and starred in Encounters of the Spooky Kind, the 1980 horror comedy kung fu flick hybrid that would prove hugely … Continue reading

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Bruce and the Iron Finger (1979) Review

"Bruce and the Iron Finger" Promotional Poster

AKA: Bruce vs. Iron Hand Director: To Man-Bo Cast: Bruce Li (aka Ho Chung Tao, James Ho), Bruce Leung Siu Lung, Ku Feng, Fong Yau, Dai Sai Aan, Wong Kwong Yue, Lin Ke Ming, Lee Hoi San, Tai San Running Time: 86 min. By Paul Bramhall In 1979 the Bruceploitation genre ramped up with a vengeance, spurred on by the posthumous release of Game of Death the year prior, the … Continue reading

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Black Belt Karate (1977) Review

"Black Belt Karate" Theatrical Poster

Director: Suen A-Foo Cast: Bruce Leung Siu Lung, Lo Lieh, Billy Chong Chun Lai, Larry Lee Gam Kwan, Kong Do, Peter Chan Lung, Tony Leung Siu Hung, Lee Tai-Wai, Yip Chin-Yat Running Time: 90 min.  By Paul Bramhall Before Merantau. Before The Raid. Before The Night Comes For Us. There was – Black Belt Karate! Ok, that’s probably a more bombastic introduction than this 1977 slice of karate goodness deserves, however it does … Continue reading

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Return of Red Tiger (1977) Review

"Return of Red Tiger" Theatrical Poster

AKA: The Return of Bul-bom Director: Nam Gi-Nam Cast: Bruce Le (Huang Kin Long), Eagle Han Ying, An Tae-seop, Lee Kang-jo, Kim Jin-hui Running Time: 94 min.  By Paul Bramhall As a kung fu movie fan, have you ever asked yourself if there’s a kung fu flick out there that’s so bad, it could put you off the genre for good? I have, and I’ve kept my fingers crossed that … Continue reading

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Kung Fu Master Named Drunk Cat (1978) Review

"Kung Fu Master Named Drunk Cat" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Fox and Hounds Director: Cheung Sum Cast: Simon Yuen Siu Tien, Sharon Yeung Pan Pan, John Cheung Ng Long, Candice Yu On On, Chu Chi Ling, Thompson Kao Kang, Johnny Cheung Running Time: 84 min. By Paul Bramhall To the kung fu genre, 1978 can be considered prime time. Jackie Chan starred in Drunken Master and Snake in the Eagles Shadow, Sammo Hung made Warriors Two, the Venoms arrived in … Continue reading

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Dragon Lee vs. the 5 Brothers | aka The Five Disciples (1978) Review

"Dragon Lee vs. the 5 Brothers" Theatrical Poster

Director: Kim Si-hyun Cast: Dragon Lee (Mun Kyong-sok), Yuen Qiu, Kwon Il-soo, Gam Kei Chu, Lee Ye Min, Chui Man Fooi, Kim Ki-ju, Han Myeong-hwan, Choi Hyeong-keun, Jeong Ju-Hyeon, Jang In-Han, Choe Il, Kim Dong-Ho Running Time: 87 min.  By Paul Bramhall The Bruceploitation genre would melt the brain of even the most academic film critic, which is why I prefer to remain on the other end of the scale. … Continue reading

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Lady Whirlwind | aka Deep Thrust (1972) Review

"Lady Whirlwind" Theatrical Poster

Director: Huang Feng Producer: Raymond Chow Cast: Chang Yi, Angela Mao Ying, Pai Ying, Oh Kyung-Ah, Liu Ah-Na, Chin Yuet-Sang, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, Huang Feng, June Wu Ching Erh, Chin Nan Yi Running Time: 84 min. By Ian Whittle Golden Harvest’s early years were devoted soley to martial arts films, and keeping up with their main rival, the Shaw Brothers. After a year of wu xia swordplay, 1971 saw Golden … Continue reading

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Bruce – The King of Kung Fu | aka Young Bruce Lee (1980) Review

“Bruce – The King of Kung Fu” VHS Cover

AKA: Legend of Bruce Lee Director: Bruce Le  Cast: Bruce Le (Huang Kin Long), Chan Kwok Kuen, Jeng Kei Ying, Fung Hak On, Fung King Man, Hon Gwok Choi, Kong Do, Benny Lai, Sek Kin, Wong Chi Wai, Lee Hang, Wei Pei , Yeung Chak Lam, Law Keung, Bolo Yeung Running Time: 90 min. By Paul Bramhall Spend enough time down the rabbit hole that is the Bruceploitation genre, and … Continue reading

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Lackey and the Lady Tiger (1980) Review

"Lackey and the Lady Tiger" Theatrical Poster

Director: Norman Law Man Co-director: Siao Lung Producer: Ng See Yuen Cast: Hwang Jang Lee, Mars, Lee Chun Hwa, Tien Niu, Tsang Choh Lam, Chu Chi Ling, Linda Lin, Sek Kin, Charlie Chan, Yiu Lam, Chiang Kam, To Siu Ming Running Time: 98 min. By Paul Bramhall Producer Ng See Yuen and Seasonal Films knew they were onto a good thing with the double-whammy of Snake in the Eagles Shadow … Continue reading

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Iron Mask, The | aka The Mystery of Dragon Seal (2019) Review

"The Iron Mask" Theatrical Poster

AKA: Viy 2: Journey to China Director: Oleg Stepchenko Cast: Jason Flemyng, Charles Dance, Rutger Hauer, Jackie Chan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Helen Yao, Martin Klebba, Christopher Fairbank, Igor Jijikine Running Time: 124 min. By Martin Sandison When I was a kid my parents didn’t allow me to watch violent movies; they wanted to protect me from the horror of the world, I guess. But I was allowed to watch Jackie Chan … Continue reading

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Dragon Bruce Lee, Part II | aka Big Boss 2 (1981) Review

"Dragon Bruce Lee, Part II" Korean Poster

AKA: Dragon Lee Fights Again Director: To Man-Bo Co-director: Lee Eun Cast: Dragon Lee (Mun Kyong-sok), Lee Suk-jin, Cheung Lik, Ju Eun-seop, Jang Ryeok, Bolo Yeung, Tien Feng, Philip Ko Fei, Sham Chin Bo, To Wai Wo Running Time: 75 min. By Ian Whittle OK, this is rather complicated. A 1930’s set kung fu movie starring Dragon Lee that, depending on what version you own, is a sequel to one … Continue reading

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